Kat’s Music Geneology

Posted on 03.16.08 in Music Monday Music and there are 20 comments.

(Warning: There are pictures in this post that may cause you to cringe uncontrollably.)

There is a permeating theme to my music geneology:

Girls with guitars.

All the truly significant artists that I’ve listened to have been female singer/songwriters who play the guitar.

Let’s start at the beginning.

Amy Grant

Amy Grant’s first album came out in 1975 - the year I was born.

Coincidence? I think not.

I can’t take complete credit for her success, though. I’m sure one or two other people helped.

My grandpa bought her first album and regretted it for years to come.

Once I was old enough to hold a cassette tape and say “play this” I’d thrust my copy of her album into the front seat of my grandparents car the second they got in.

I asked them to play it at home. In the yard. During breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.

Here is a visual representation of what a huge dork I was (my 13th birthday):

(Ponytail with bandana. Sleeves rolled up. Shirt tucked in. My fashion sense knows no bounds. Feel free to disassociate yourselves from me. I understand.)

Amy Grant’s music was all I listened to until about Jr. High. I then branched out to Michael W. Smith, Rich Mullins...Stryper. The usual.

In high school, I loved DC Talk, Susan Ashton, Audio Adrenaline and Garth Brooks.

All through college I searched for the “the perfect music.” There was a lot of music I liked, but none of it was quite what I was looking for…

Jennifer Knapp

Then I heard Kansas by Jennifer Knapp at a listening station in our local music store. Wow. I bought it on the spot and it didn’t leave my cd player for years. Perhaps my favorite album of all time.

Here is her song A Little More:

Kendall Payne

When I worked at KSBJ, my boss, Jeff Scott, came back from GMA raving about a 17 year old named Kendall Payne. Amazing lyrics. Stunning voice. Great music. She was a staple in our car for years. Jordan’s Sister and Grown are two of my favorite albums.

Here is Closer to Myself:

Bethany Dillon

As I mentioned last week, I found Bethany Dillon’s music because of a cover she did of Amy Grant’s Lead Me On. She has a gorgeous voice, thoughtful lyrics and is inspiringly passionate about God.

Here is an amazing song You Are On Our Side:

Brooke Fraser

I know I just recently started listening to her music, but I’m quite sure she’ll be a long term favorite.

Here she is performing the song Albertine:

So there your go - my Music Geneology.

Please Help My Self Esteem

Hmm...I’m wondering if I’m going to regret posting that picture...was anyone else a dorky fan as a teenager?

You took pictures with a cardboard cutout of your favorite artist...right? ...RIGHT?

The Comments:

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great pic!  I love it.  My post is up, BUT I am still working on it.  Wanted to get it in before bed!

Nice pic!

Nope. 

I have to confess I have a picture of me and a cardboard cutout of ELVIS! haha, I have to admit, Im not a HUGE Elvis fan though.

Fear not. I would have taken a picture of myself and Styx if a cardboard cut out had been available in Junior High.

My preference is for boys with guitars though…

First, you and I could have been twins at that age. Weren’t we cool in our bandana pony tails and rolled up sleeves? Of course, I had to add the big bangs about 3 years after that age. Hey, I do live in Texas. Can of hairspray per ‘do was a must. Rave Mega Hold was my choice.

And yeah, Amy was the bomb! I was a huge fan. I was a Grant fan when Grant wasn’t cool. I had all of her tapes (yeah, those plastic things with the tiny brown tape stuff inside) and would play them on my “boom box” (why couldn’t we just call them stereos or radios?).

Um, I have some very embarrassing pictures of myself from the middle school time period.But what a happy smile on your face!

My parents have a picture of me wearing my mom’s wig and clip-on earring and posing with a cardboard guitar as Neal Schon of Journey.  So, here’s my music geneology: Journey “Escape” was my first tape ever, 1981, then my favorite group became Genesis after “Genesis” in 1983, then Toad The Wet Sprocket in college from 1989-1993, then Jars of Clay from 1995-present.  All 4 bands have front-men with higher pitched voices.

Great post as always and I love the picture!

Kevin (shaunfan)

And where is the cardboard cutout today? 

I didn’t have any life-size Amy Grants in my house, but I did have turqouise colored earrings with a pink argyle design that matched my Michael W. Smith 2 album cover along with a matching sweater vest.  I thought I was very cool.

If I had known how to located a cardboard cutout of Steven Curtis Chapman when I was in junior high, I totally would have had one.  He was my first “love” and the first Christian artist I ever listened to. 

I too remember the first time I heard Jennifer Knapp. I was completely blown away.  Whatever happened to her??

P.S. I forgot to mention that I heard Bethany Dillon play “You Are On Our Side” Friday night at a concert with Shane & Shane, David Nasser, and Starfield.  She’s so fantastic.  Did you know she’s getting married to Shane Barnard in like 2 weeks or something?  I had no idea!

My understanding on Jennifer Knapp is that she left music and may return eventually, but not to the CCM arena.  I heard that a few years ago from Shaun Groves, so take it for what it’s worth.

Okay, so I loved Elton John. What does that say about me? Annie told me to read your blog!

I was hopelessly obsessed with the christian band “East to West” back in the mid 90’s....even went to Georgia to see them at Six Flags during Atlanta Fest.....I got pics with them...I was definitely a total DORK!!!!!!

As a side note....one of the 2 singers was Jay DeMarcus who I believe is now in a little country band called RASCAL FLATS!!!!!

TIA - Yes, but perhaps you have a picture of yourself as a teenager with a cardboard cutout of some famous diplomat?

Kari - I was also a Grant fan when Grant wasn’t cool. You wouldn’t believe some of the stuff my Sunday School teachers said when I’d mention I like Amy Grant’s music…

Amy - I suppose that if I’m going to be a dork, at least I’m a happy dork.

Kevin - Ha! You must secure that picture or your parents may use it against you..

MC - You know, I don’t know where that is. I must have gotten rid of it somewhere along the way.

Argyle socks - I remember that album cover.

Erin - I did know she was getting married because they came here in December for a show. I took my two girls - let’s just say Dora on the iPod and BD’s song God Is On Our Side - do not go together. Hmm...I should blog about that sometime…

Linda,
AnnieD? I’m totally honored! She’s one stinking great writer.

Did I see a picture of you with a big tree today? Was that you? Have fun at the conference and thanks for stopping by.

KFJ,
No Way!!! I remember East to West and I had no idea one of them is in Rascal Flatts. I can totally see it now. Crazy.

My first concert was Crystal Gayle, I was impressed, then the next week went to Atlanta Rythym Section, they were a great show too.

Then, Jesus` showed up and a month later saw my first christian concert, the great Benny Hester in Waco, TX.  First Baptist Woodway put on the concert. 

It was outdoors, lightening all around us, but did not rain during the music. A great light show for sure.  In 1980 we were not aware that lightening could reach down and BBQ you on the spot.

I cried for the first time in public while he sang “And God Ran” because it was just for me.

Jennifer Knapp, Bethany Dillon and Brooke Fraser are 3 of my all time fav artists..nicely done.

Thanks Wade!

knapp’s Kansas changed my life!

and what happened to Payne?

Mandy,
Kendall Payne was the victim of the music industry - label restructuring etc.

She’s got an absolutely incredible indie album out entitled Grown and a new one out called Paper Skin. Her website is Kendallpayne.com.

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